Fire &

Ice Fest

is set

PUTNAM — Although northeastern Connecticut is known for chilly temperatures during the winter, things will be heating up Feb. 14.

Sponsored by the Putnam Business Association, the Fire & Ice Festival will return to the downtown streets. The public is invited to attend this festive winter event, complete with ice sculptures, horse & carriage rides, luminaria, fire torches, live music and more.

The Fire & Ice Festival is a collaborative effort between the Putnam Business Association, local merchants and community volunteers. With its humble beginning as an event created to give people in the Quiet Corner something to do during the quieter winter months and a way to bolster traffic for the downtown businesses, the Fire & Ice Festival has grown into a signature event for Putnam. 

The 2014 event included more than 20 ice sculptures, live ice carving demonstrations by both professional carvers and amateur artists streets lined with glowing luminaria and restaurants featuring Valentine’s Day-themed specials with collectible Fire & Ice glassware. 

From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 14 there will be family-friendly activities, including family carriage rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., fun photo boards, and ice carving throughout the Main Street area. A new addition to the festival for 2015 will be a chocolate contest, hosted at The Empty Spaces Project Gallery at 114 Main St. Creations by chefs, students, and novices will be on display throughout the day. As the sun goes down, luminaria will fill downtown Putnam with an ambient glow. Fire torches will help light the way and romantic carriage rides will set the mood from 5 to 9 p.m. There will also be fire dancing performances.

Over the upcoming weeks and months, be on the lookout for more information on carriage ticket sales, restaurant specials, and radio contest on WINY 1350 AM to win a romantic evening for two lucky sweethearts. Dark and milk chocolate bars will also be on sale throughout Putnam while supplies last, with prizes tucked into select candy bar wrappers.  To learn more about Fire & Ice and other Putnam Business Association events, visit www.discoverputnam.com.